Counter



July 25, G. WINTRITZ ET A| y COUNTER Filed June 17, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 llama."

w; llllllllIll /6 Y /2 /6' ATTORN EY July 25, 1939- G. wlNTRlTz ET AL 12,167,259

COUNTER Filed June 17, 193s 2 sheets-sheet 2 I f P25325.

ATTORNEY `Patented July 25, 19739y UNITED -NAsTATEs PATENT: OFFICE COUNTER Application June 17, 1938, Serial No. 214,254

20 Claims. (Cl. 20D- 33) D This invention relates to counters, and more especially to automatically repeating counters.

The primary object of our invention is to generally improve counters, and amore particular object resides in the provision of a repeating counter which will repeat a predetermined quantity over and over again, without requiring resetting of the counter mechanism back to zero. Another object is to provide a counter for delin- .ing two different predetermined but adjustable quantities in alternation. A more specific object is to provide a counter especiallyA adapted for use in connection with the manufacture of slide fasteners.

A conventional slide fastener comprises two stringers, end stops, and a slider movable between said end stops. Each stringer consists of a length of tape having a beaded or corded edge o n which are secured a seriesl of fastener elements, these elements having interlockable heads and jaws which are clamped about the beaded edge of the tape. The stringers of the slide fastener are stitched into a finished article, such as a purse, or luggage, or clothing, etc. The manufacturer of the finished article orders a suitable quantity of slide fasteners from the slide fastener manufacturer and specifies the exact length of slide fastener required and also the length of extra tape at the ends of the slide fastener, this extra tape facilitating handling and sewing. of the fastener into the finished article.

The slide fastener manufacturer makes the stringer as a continuous product, that is, a continuous length of tape passes through the machine. Elements are attachedmntil the desired Stringer length is attained and then the mounting of elements on the tape is interrupted until a blank space is provided equal to twice the specified length of excess tape. The specific problem is to provide a counter which will define a predetermined number of operations corresponding to the desired fastener length and which will then interrupt the supply of elements until a predetermined space on the tape is provided, whereupon the mounting of elements is resumed. The length of the fastener and the length of blank space are both variable and must be adjusted from time to time depending upon the requiree ments of the customer.

Broadly, the problem is to dene two different adjustable quantities in alternation, and the object of our invention is to provide a comparatively simple, rugged, inexpensive, dependable, and readily adjustable counter for this purpose. The basic parts of our counter are a rotatable shaft on which any one of a number of different ratchet wheels is detachably mounted, a pawl for moving the ratchet Wheel, a contact sector mounted on and rotated by the shaft, and a wiper spring so disposed as to be engaged by the contact sector 5 during a part of the rotation of the shaft. Generally speaking, one of the two quantities to be measured is determined by that portion of the rotation of the shaft when the contact sector is free of theowiper spring, and the other of the I0 two quantities is measured during the remaining portion of the rotation of the shaft when the contact sector is in engagement with the wiper spring.

Al more specific object of the invention is to reduce the number of ratchet wheels needed-in meeting a variety of conditions, and this is'done by making each ratchet Wheel useful for a number of sub-multiples. Specifically, the pawl mechanism which moves the ratchet wheel is provided with .a readily adjustable pawl release. mechanism and this so controls the pawl that it may be used to move the ratchet wheel one tooth, two teeth or three teeth, etc., for each stroke of the pawl (corresponding, of course, to one operation to be counted, as, for example, one unit in the step-by-step feed movement of theslide fastener tape).

Other objects center about a control of the time of contact between the contact sector and the wiper spring, for this determines the proportioning of the two parts into which the full rotation of the shaft is divided, or, in other words, the -proportioning of the two different quantities which, are to be measured in alternation. For this purpose, we provide a number of adjustments. The Contact sector is made of two overlapping relatively movable parts, and these are `secured together in desired relative position by means of a manually releasable screw.

change in arc. For closer adjustment of the time of contact, we nd it convenient to simply bodily change the position of the wiper spring relative to the shaft of the Contact sector. As will be explained later in greater detail, we provide two adjustments, a transverse movement of the Wiper spring, and a longitudinal-movement vof the wiper spring. In accordance with a feature .and object of the invention, the contact sector is provided with a peripheral extension at its trailing edge in order to insure a clean, denite escape of the contact sector from the wiper spring at the ter-A used down the full length of a dress, or on tents, l

or special luggage applications, etc. In other words, the conditions to be met by the present counter are unusual in that one of the two quantities, the fastener length, may vary from as little as two inches to as much as several yards, while' the other of the two quantities, the spacing between stringers, will vary only slightly, it being only a matter of two or three inches, whether dealing with a very short or a very long fastener. A further object of our invention is to overcome this diiilculty, and for this purpose we provide an auxiliary contact arranged electrically in series with the aforesaid contact sector and wiper spring, and this auxiliary contact is operated through reduction gearing by the ratchet wheel shaft.

A more specific object of our invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive form of reduction gear mechanism for operating the auxiliary contact, this mechanism readily providing a reduction ratio which is variable over a large range. Withl this object in view, we mount a pinion having a suitable number of teeth, say, twelve teeth, adjacent the path of movement of the contact sector, and We provide a plurality 4of readily removable ,pins detachably mounted in mating holes near the periphery of the contact sector for engaging the pinion in order to move the pinion a number of teeth dependent upon the number of pins mounted on the contact sector. Any number of pins from one to six may be provided, thus affording reduction ratios of from one to two up to one to twelve. The auxiliary contact isv operated once for each revolution of the pinion, and in this way a long length of fastener may be obtained without changing the length of the blank space or gap between fasteners. Another advantage of this special gear reduction mechanism is that the movement of the pinion is intermittent, much as in the case of a Geneva gear mechanism, so that the auxiliary contact remains closed throughout the functioning of the contact sector. Moreover, by disposing the pinion at a Vpoint remote from and preferably diametrically opposite the wiper spring, the movement ofthe pinion takes place at a time when the/contact sector is remote from the wiper spring and at which time the electrical circuit is anyway open. The duration of the time during which the circuit is closed depends solely upon the relation between the contact sector and the wiper spring, and at that time the auxiliary contact has a1- vready been moved into definitely open or closed Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof looking at the driving end of the counter;

Fig. 3 is an .opposite end elevation with the contact sector in elevated position engaging the pinionfor the auxiliary contact;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the counter;

Fig. 5 shows the insulation detent and auxiliary contact drum;

Fig. 6 is a section of continuous slide fastener Stringer and is explanatory of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a machine for attaching fastener elements to a tape and represents one form of machine which may be controlled by the counter of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a wiring'diagram explanatory of the functioning of the invention;

Fig. 9 is explanatory of the operation ofthe adjustable pawl release mechanism;

Fig. 10 is explanatory of the contact sector;

Figs. 1l, l2, and 13 are diagrammatic views explanatory of the effect of transverse and longitudinal adjustment of the wiper spring;

Fig. 14 is a detail; and

Fig. l5 is explanatory of the adjustment of the counter. I

For convenience, the invention is specifically described as applied to the manufacture of slide fasteners, but it will be understood that the counter is useful for a variety of purposes, in fact, anywhere that a quantity is to be repeatedly counted, and regardless of whether it is simply a single quantity or two different quantities in alternation.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly toV Fig. 6, the slide fastener is manufactured in the form of a continuous Stringer made up of a tape I2 having a series of uniformly spaced fastener elements I4 secured along one edge of the tape. 'Ilie series of elements is interrupted by a gap or space indicated by the blank portions I6.- The'manufacture of the slide fastener proceeds with the stringers in this continuous or endless form through Various operations which are here immaterial, but near the end of the manufacturing process the fastener tape is severed at the points i8. Each Stringer then com-- prises a length of slide fastener elements with tape extensions at both ends. These extensions are ordinarily only a matter of one or one and a half inches in length, corresponding to a blank space of two or three inches. The space must, however, be adjustable in order to meet the requirements of individual customers.

of the successive series of elements, is variable over a tremendous range, it being as little as two inches in some cases and as much as several yards in others.

Referring now to Fig. 7, we there show a fastener attaching machine the details of which are immaterial for the present purpose but may be The length 4of the slide fastener proper, that is, the length found set forth in detail in a copending application of George Wintritz, Serial Number 215,180, filed June 22, 1938. The tape is fed from beneath the machine past a fastener attaching station and then upwardly over a feed drinn 20,

against the knurled surface of which the tape is tightly pressed by means of a suitable friction shoe 22. The Stringer I2 then passes downwardly through a guide tube 24 into a suitable bin or basket 2B in which it is collected. The feed drum 20 is moved intermittently or in step-by-step fashion by means of a ratchetwheel 28 the operating dog of which is moved in response to each `rotation of the timing shaft of the machine, and

" n which leads back to and is recmrated .justable pawl release.

this corresponds. of course, to the attachment of one fastener element. The feed of elements to the tape may be interrupted if desired by energization oi' a solenoid 30,'and this, in turn, is controlled by the counterC which forms the subject-matter of the presentinvention. The pawl of the counter is oscillated by a connecting rgd Y the timing shaft of the machine so that each oscillation of the counter pawl corresponds to one feed movement of the tape feed drum 28.

'I'he counter C is illustrated in detail in Figs. 1 through 4 of the invention. It comprises a main shaft 34, on which any one of a number of differently toothed ratchet wheels 38 may be detachably mounted. Shaft 34 carries a contact sector 38 which cooperates during a part of the revolution of the shaft with a suitable wiper spring 40. An ordinary register 42 of small size is connected to one end of shaft 34 in order to indicate the total number of rotations of the main shaft, this being a measure of the number of slide fasteners made. 'Ihe register 42 is of conventional character, it comprising a number of coaxially arranged digit wheels interconnected by appropriate transfer mechanism so that the wheels read in units, 10s, 100s, etc. This register forms no part of the present invention except that it is convenient and desirable to combine such a register with the present invention in order to determine when the order for the particular size of slide fastener has been fulfilled.

In order to take care of long slide fasteners, the complete counter mechanism preferably includes an auxiliary contact 44 operated from main shaft 34 through appropriate reduction gear mechanism located in the present case at the top of the counter.

The counter is driven by reciprocation of a connecting rod 46 which is connected to an oscillatable pawl arm 48 the hub 50 of which is pivoted on main shaft 34. Pawl arm 48 carries a pawl 52 oscillatable with pin 54 rotatably carried in a boss or bearing enlargement 56 (Fig. 4)

formed on pawl arm 48. Pawl 52 is normally moved upwardly by spring 58, and is thus moved into engagement with ratchet wheel 36. This ratchet wheel forms one of a group of ratchet wheels having different numbers of teeth. The ratchet .wheel is readily removed from or applied to the end of the main shaft by unscrewlng a Wing nut 60. When the ratchet Wheel is secured to the shaft, it is forced against and steadied by a large diameter brake disk 62. The hub of brake disk 62 is fixedly mounted on main shaft 34. The ratchet wheel is locked to brake disk 62 by means of a dowel-pin 64 (Fig. 2) which projects side- Wardly from the brake disk and enters a matingh hole through the ratchet wheel. This registers the ratchet Wheel in proper relation to the main shaft and Ythis is convenient in order to make use of certain markings on the face of the ratchet Wheel which facilitate adjusting the counter when changing ratchet wheels.

The periphery of brake disk 62 is engaged by a brake shoe 66 carried at the `upper end of a resilient brake arm 68 secured at its lower end to a support 10 of the frame of the counter. The brake 66 acts as a holding brake to prevent movement of the ratchet wheel upon return movement of the ratchet pawl.

The drive mechanism further includes an ad- For this purpose, the pin 54 carrying pawl 52 is provided with an upwardly i projecting finger 12, and support l0 of the frame threadedly carries a stop screw 14. This may be rotated by a knob 'I8 and may be locked in ad- )usted position by means of a set-screw 18. The oscillation of pawl arm 48, or. in other words, the throw of the crank or other part which reciprocates connecting rod 48 is made excessive and lre enough tomove the ratchet wheel over an arc of two or three or more teeth. Most oi' this movement is made inenective because the pawl 52 is thrown out of engagement with the ratchet wheel by the stop 14. The manner in which this stop functions will be clear from inspection of Fig. 9, in which the pawl is shown turned downwardly away from the ratchet wheel. The effect of the stop is to permit engagement of the pawl with the ratchet wheel only during the latter part 0f the driving stroke of the pawl. This is readily adjusted for movement of the ratchet wheel one tooth at a time even though changes may be made from ratchet wheels having large teeth to those having small teeth, etc. The pawl release is additionally valuable in making it possible to move the ratchet wheel two teeth or three teeth at a time, thus causing each ratchet wheel to function as a number of different ratchet wheels having a smaller number of teeth related integrally or as sub-multiples ofthe full number of teeth.

Thus, a ratchet wheel having, say, |08 teeth, may

' screw 86 which is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 but omitted in Fig. 10. The shank of the screw is threadedly received in hole 81 (Fig. 10) of sector 80. scheme may be used to provide a. gradual change in the arcuate length of the contact sector assembly 38 by forming an arcuate Slot or a large number of holes through sector 82, but in the present case we use the parts in only two relative positions, corresponding to ashort and a long contact sector. In the short position, the parts 80 and 82 are locked in side-by-side registration, the screw 86 then passing through the hole 88 (Figs. 3 and 10) of sector 82. The parts are then in the compact relation shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4. Fig. 3 shows the parts in the expanded position and at this time the screw 86 passes through hole 88 (Fig. 10) of sector 82.

Y For a more gradual change in contact time, we provide for bodily movement or adjustment of Wiper spring 40. One adjustment is a transverse movement of the wiper spring, and referring to Figs. 1 through 4, it will be seen that the wiper spring 40 is clamped at its outer end between insulation blocks 80 which in turn are carried on a slide 82 which is movable in a vertical direction Vby means of a screw84 rotatable by means of knob 86 formed at its upper end. Screw 84 is threadedly received in slide 82 and is freely rotatable in bearing ears 85 formed integrally with the frame of the counter. Screw 84 is held against axial movement by knob 86 at its upper end and collar 81 at its lower end. 'I'he slideY 82 may be locked in adjusted position by means of a lock screw 88 which passes through a slot |00 (Fig. 4) in slide 82.

The manner in which this vertical movement changes the time y.of contact will be clear from .the point of tangency. The arc of contact is indicated at B. The condition just described is a ltheoretical one and would not be very satisfactory in operation because of the uncertainty of the contact between-the sector and wiper. However, it represents the theoretical condition for minimum time of contact, and the arc of contact is theoretically exactly equal to the arc of the contact sector.

If now the 'wiper spring is moved upwardly until it is spaced from the countershaft by a distance C less than the distance A, then the condition will beas illustrated in Fig. 12. Contact begins when leading point |02 engages wiper 40'. Contact ends when trailing point |04 leaves wiper 40, as is indicated at |04. In the meantime, continuous contact has been maintained and is made possible because of the flexibility of the spring wiper which bends from the position 40 to the position 40 during rotation of sector 38. The total arc of contact is indicated vby the arrow D and it will be seen that this arc is greater than the arc B of Fig. 11. In practice, the adjustment of Fig. 12 is used for the leading point |02, i. e. starting of contact, but is preferably not used for trailing point |04,'i. e. the termination of contact.

. The latter adjustment is preferably obtained as in Fig. 13, later described.

Reverting now to Figs. 1 through 4, the Wiper spring 40 may be adjusted longitudinally by releasing the thumb screws |06, relieving the pressure between the insulation blocks 90', whereupon leaf spring 40 may be slid inwardly or outwardly, thereby changing its effective length; This adjustment is also useful in determining thel contact time, and the theory underlying this adjustment will be clear by reference to Fig. 13. In

that figure, thevertical adjustment C of .wiper spring 40 is the same as in Fig. l2, but the spring has been moved longitudinally to the right until its eifective length E is substantially shorter than the length F indicated in Fig. 12.A The leading point |02 of sector 38 engages wiper spring 40 at the same point as is indicated in Fig. 12. Contact continues as sector 38 rotates, and wiper spring il@ meanwhile bends from the position fit to the position fill'. Contact continues until the trailing point itt of sector 38 passes the end of the wiper spring, whereupon the spring snaps upwardly from the position 40 to its initial position 40. Contact is terminated by the movement of point |04 past the end of spring 4l. The effective arc of contact isindicated by the arrow G, and it will be seen that this arc is substantially less than the arc D of Fig. l2. 'I'he time of contact may thus be Varied by moving the wiper spring 40 longitudinally, the contact being shorter as the spring is shortened and longer as the spring is lengthened, until a length is reached beyond which there is no further effect because termination depends upon upward movement 'of the sector above the normal position of the spring. This is the condition which exists in Fig. 12, the spring length F being beyond the range in which longitudinal adjustment is effective.

In Figs. 2 and 3, it will be noted that the contact sector has a peripheral extension |04, and the reason for this will be evident from inspection of Fig. 13, for when the trailing point'or extension |04 passes the end of spring 40, and the spring moves sharply upwardly from the position 40' to the position 40, it is important that there be no additional'contact between the spring and the trailing wall of the contact sector. In effect, the trailing wall of the sector is cut away, leaving the trailing point |04 as a chisel-like extension which insures a sharp current break. This contributes to accurate timing, and the present counter functions with such accuracy that the length of the slide fastener may readily be determined'within an accuracy of one fastener element, i. e. the number of elements is exact.

As so far described, the counter is useful for slide fasteners of small or moderate length, but it would not be convenient for use with long slide fasteners, first because of the difllculty of providing a ratchet wheel with an exceedingly large number of very tiny teeth, and second because it will be necessary to adjust the sector and wiper for a very short contact, probably necessitating the substitution of a different contact sector having a length much shorter than that obtainable with sector 38. Moreover, the accuracy or precision of the timing would suffer were it necessary to define the gap space between fasteners by means of a very small arc of contact. In the present counter, this diiliculty is effectively surmounted by the provision of an auxiliary contact and appropriate gear reduction mechanism for operating the same. Referring first to Fig. 8, it will be seen that the auxiliary contact 44 is made up of a stationary contact point ||0 and a movable contact blade ||2 the lower end of which is xedly mounted between insulation blocks |`|4 and the upper end of which bears against a rotatable drum lit, the periphery of which is deeply notched at ||8. When notch ||8 reaches the bend |20 of blade ||2, the blade moves to the left as viewed in Fig. 8 and auxiliary contact 44 is closed. This contact is connected in series with the sector 38 and wiper spring 40, and the latter are, therefore, effective only when auxiliary contact is closed. During most of the rotation of drum H6, when auxiliary contact 44 is open, the'engagement between sector 3B and wiper 40 is ineiective.l to interrupt the feed of slide fastener elements tothe tape.

Reverting now to Figs. 1 through 5, drum I6 is rnade of insulation and is provided not only with the extra deep notch i|8 but is preferably provided with a series of equally spaced smaller notches |22, as is most clearly shown in Fig. 5. These extra notches function as detent notches. Drum llt is carried on a shaft |24 journalled in bearings |26 formed integrally with and projecting upwardly at the top of the counter frame. Shaft |24 carries at one end a pinion |28. In the present case, pinion |28 has twelve teeth and drum ||6 has twelve notches corresponding to the twelve teeth of the pinion. The pinion is intermittently moved by one or more pins |30, best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. These are removably attached to the part of the contact sector by a thus closing the auxiliary contact 44. 'I'he counter vthen operates as though the auxiliary contact mechanism were not being used. In handling a long fastener, however, an appropriate number of the teeth or pins |30 are added to the contact sector. There are six holes and anywhere from one to six pins may be added. With six pins the reduction ratiois one to two; with four pins it is one to three; with three pins it is one to four; with two pins it is one to six; and with one pin it is one to twelve. Because pinion |26 is located at the top of the counter at a point substantially diametrically opposite the point of engagement of the contact sector with the wiper spring 40, the movement of pinion |26 always takes place at a time when the circuit is anyway open. During anumber of revolutions of the main shaft 34, the contact at the wiper spring is ineffective, but when the auxiliary contact has been closed by the last movement of pinions |28, then the contact at the wiper spring is eiective and the supply of velements to the tape is interrupted.

It is believed that the operation of our improved counter and the method of use of the same will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. Each ratchet wheel may be used to fulfill requirements in which a substantial number of ratchet wheels having different num'- l bers of teeth might otherwise be used. As a random example, a ratchet Wheel having sixty teeth may be used for fifteen teeth by moving it four teeth at a time; for twenty teeth, by moving it three teeth at a time; for thirty teeth, by moving it two teeth at a irne; and for sixy teeth, by moving it one tooth at a time. So far, the auxiliary contact has not been used, that is, there are no pins applied to the contact sector. With the auxiliary contact, the sixty-tooth wheel may be used for forty teeth by moving it for twenty teeth (three teeth at a time) and then using a two to one reduction (six pins) for the auxiliary contact; it may be used for forty-five teeth by treating it as fifteen teeth and obtaining a three to one reduction on the auxiliary contact; it may be used for eighty teeth by treating it as twenty teeth and using a four toone reduction on the auxiliary contact; for ninety teeth, by treating it as thirty teeth and using a three-to one ratio; for teeth by using sixty teeth and a two to one ratio or thirty teeth and a four to one ratio; for teeth, by treating it as sixty teeth and using a three to one ratio or treating it as thirty teeth and using a six to one ratio; and it may be used for 240 teeth by using sixty teeth and a four to one ratio. Further combinations may be obtained, keeping in mind that a six to one and twelve to one reduction ratio is available, and also, a five to twelve reduction ratio (using five pins). l

We referred earlier in the specification to a ratchet wheel having 108 teeth. With a standard size of fastener, this corresponds to a tape length of, say, ten inches, which may be used for a fastener eight inches long with one-inch ends (2" space for two ends) or a 'l" fastener with 11/2" ends. If a customer orders a 10 fastener with l ends, wemay use the 108-tooth ratchet wheel and adjust the wiper spring for the desired 2" space. Accurate adjustment to be correct to the exact number of elements is possible for the 8" fastener length, for the device is a true counter and any slight loss or gain of one element or two elements on the 2" or 3" gap or blank space between stringers is of no consequence. In this way. the important dimansion, the fastener length, may be varied slightly to exact value although it may be at the expense of a slight amount of the blank space.

If a customer orders an 18" fastener with 1" ends. we may use the same ratchet wheel and the same wiper spring adjustment, but we simply add six pins to the contact sector, thus introducing a two to one reduction ratio for lthe auxiliary contact. No readjustment of the spacing would be needed. The same applies to a 28" fastener with a 2"space, except that we would. use four pins, and so on.

The registerv 42 `is used for a direct reading of the number of ,fastener stringere made up when the auxiliary contact is not in use, but when the auxiliary contact is being used, the reading'of the register 42 is divided by the reduction ratio in order to obtain the total number of stringers made up. .f

In actual practice, we have made up charts which are hung on the wall near the machines, these charts showing the various ways to obtain all different combinations of fastener size. In reality, there are two such charts for the two common sizes of fastener elements, for the spacing between successive elements on the tape is small for the small fastener and larger for the large size fastener. Many fastener lengths are obtainable by different combinations of ratchet wheel and'auxiliary contact ratio, and the operator may select any vconvenient one of these different combinations when fulfilling a particular order.

The actual setting up of the wiper spring into n proper adjustment when changing from one ratchet wheel toA another is not at all difiicult and has been standardized by -wapropriate calibration markings on each ratchet wheel. Lines for this purpose are indicated at |40, |42 and |44 in Fig. 15. Line |40 is in alignment with the locating dowel 64, and corresponds to the starting of contact. Lines |42 and |44 correspond respectively to the termination of contact for tape ends of one and one and one-half inches, or a gap spacing of two or three inches', respectively, these being the most common dimensions used in commercial practice.

After selecting the proper ratchet wheel, it is applied to the counter and is turned until the line |40 reaches the pawl 52. The vertical adjusting knob 96 is then manipulated until the contact spring 40 is moved or raised to a point where it just misses contact with the leading point |02 of the contact sector. The pawl is moved to shift the ratchet Wheel for one tooth in order to make Vsure that the contact sector then engages the spring with a good, firm and dependable contact, as shown in Fig. l5. This determines the starting point for the gap or spacing.

The ratchet wheel is then turned ahead until the line |42 reaches the pawl if the spacing is to be two inches (or the line |44 if the spacing is to be three inches). The screws |06 are then loosened and the contact spring 40 is moved rearwardly until it approaches but does not quite escape the tip of the trailing point |04 of the sector. The-ratchet wheel is then moved by the pawl through a single stroke .to make sure that the spring snaps free of the trailing point. This determines the end of the gap.

In this way a nearly exact adjustment of the stringer length is quickly obtained vimmediately after securing the ratchet wheel to the counter. The slide fastener machine is then run long enough to make up a stringer and this is measured for accuracy. It may be necessary to modify the stringer length by subtracting or adding one or two fastener elements. If so, this line adjustment is readily obtained by readjusting the position of the contact spring while moving the ratchet wheel one or two teeth in proper direction depending upon whether it is desired to add or subtract one or two elements. 'Ihere is no guesswork about the adjustment because the contact spring is adjusted relative to the sector and the latter is in turn positioned by means of the ratchet teeth.

It is believed that the construction and operation, as well as the method of use and the many advantages of our improved counter, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description thereof. It will be understood that the counter may be used for a variety of purposes, where an identical count is to be repeated over and over again, in connection with automatic machinery. For example, in packaging Small articles the counter can be used to count out the number of articles, say, one gross, delivered into a box, whereupon the contact operates an appropriate solenoid for interrupting the feed of articles while the filled box is moved away and an empty box is moved into position to receive another gross, and so on. The register 42 will then show the number of boxes filled, or a multiple thereof, instead of showing the number of slide fasteners made, as above described.

It will be apparent that while we have shown and described our invention in a preferred form, many changes and modifications may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention defined in the following claims. In the claims, we sometimes refer to defining two different quantities in alternation, and this is intended to include the case in which one of the quantities is concrete, as for example, a number of articles, while the other is a mere time quantity, as for example, the delay during electrical contact between repeated measurements of the concrete quantity. The duration of contact is obviously a measure of the time quantity.

We claim:

1. A counter comprising a rotatable shaft arranged to detachably receive any of a number of differently toothed ratchet wheels, an oscillatable pawl arm and pawl for moving the ratchet wheel, an adjustable pawl release for determining the effective portion of the stroke of the pawl and thereby controlling the number of ratchet wheel teeth moved on each pawl stroke, a contact carried by said shaft, and awiper spring positioned to be engaged by said contact during rotation of the shaft.

2. A counter comprising a rotatable shaft arranged to detachably receive any of a number of differently toothed ratchet wheels, an oscillatable pawl arm and pawl for moving the ratchet wheel, a contact carried by said shaft, a wiper spring positioned to be engaged by said contact during rotation of the shaft, and means affording longitudinal adjustment of the wiper spring.

3. A counter comprising a rotatable shaft arranged to detachably receive any of a number of differently toothed ratchet wheels, an oscillatable pawl arm and pawl for moving' the ratchet wheel, a contact carried by said shaft, a wiper spring positioned to be engaged by said contact during rotation of the shaft, and means affording transverse movement of the wiper spring for adjustment of the distance between the shaft and wiper spring.

4. A counter comprising a rotatable shaft arranged to detachably receive any of a number of differently toothed ratchet wheels, an oscillatable pawl arm and pawl for moving the ratchet wheel, an adjustable pawl release for determining the effective portion of the stroke of the pawl, a contact sector carried by said shaft, a wiper spring positioned to be engaged by said contact sector during rotation of the shaft, and means affording adjustment of the position of said wiper spring relative to said shaft in order to vary the duration of contact.

5. A counter comprising a rotatable shaft arranged to detachably receive any of a number of differently toothed ratchet wheels, an oscillatable pawl arm and pawl for moving the ratchet wheel, a contact sector carried by said shaft, a wiper spring positioned to be engaged by said contact sector during rotation Y- of the shaft, means affording transverse movement of the wiper spring for adjustment of the distance between the shaft and wiper spring, and means affording longitudinal movement of the wiper spring, said movements serving to vary the duration of contact.

6. A counter for defining two different quantities in alternation, said counter comprising a rotatable shaft arranged to detachably receive any of a number of differently toothed ratchet wheels, an oscillatable pawl arm and pawl for moving the ratchet wheel, a contact sector mounted on said shaft, the trailing edge of said contact sector having a peripheral extension, a wiper spring engaged by said sector, and means affording longitudinal adjustment of the position of the wiper spring in order to thereby vary the duration of engagement between the contact sector and the wiper spring.

'7. A counter for defining two different quantities in alternation, said counter comprising' a rotatable shaft arranged to detachably receive any of a numberof differently toothed ratchet wheels, an oscillatable pawl arm and pawl for moving the ratchet wheel, a contact sector assembly mounted on said shaft and comprising a rst contact sector, a second contact sector, releasable means for locking said Contact sectors-together in desired relative position in order to vary the arc of said contact sector, and a wiper spring engaged by said sector.

8. A counter for defining two different quantities in alternation, said counter comprising a rotatable shaft arranged to detachably receive any of a number of diierently toothed ratchet wheels, an oscillatable pawl arm and pawl for moving the ratchet wheel, an adjustable pawl release for determining the effective portion of the stroke of the pawl, a contact sector assembly mounted on said shaft and comprising a first contact sector, a second contact sector, releasable means for locking said contact sectors together in desired relative position in order to vary the arc of said contact sector, and a wiper spring engaged by said sector.

9. A counter for deflningtwo different quantities in alternation, said counter comprising a rotatable shaft arranged to detachably receive any of a number of differently toothed ratchet wheels, an oscillatable pawl arm and pawl for moving the ratchet wheel, a contact sector assembly mounted on said shaft and comprising a first contact sector, a second contact sector, releasable means for locking said contact sectors together in desired relative position in order to vary the arc of said contact sector, a wiper spring engaged bysaid sector, and means affording adjustment of the position of the contact spring in order to thereby vary the duration of engagement between the contact sector and the contact spring.

10. A counter fordenning two different quantities in alternation, said counter comprising a rotatable shaft arranged to detachably receive any of a number of differently toothed ratchet wheels, an oscillatable pawl arm and pawl for moving the ratchet wheel, an adjustable pawl release for determining the e'ective portion of the stroke of the pawl, a contact sector assembly mounted on said shaft and comprising a first` contact sector, a second contact sector, releasable means for locking said contact sectors together in desired relative position in order to vary the effective contact length of said contact sector, a wiper spring engaged by said sector, and means affording adjustment of the position of the contact spring in order to thereby vary the duration of engagement between the contact sector and the contact spring.

11. A counter comprising a rotatable shaft arranged to detachably receive any of a number of differently toothed ratchet wheels, an oscillatable pawl arm and pawl for moving the ratchet wheel, a contact carried by said shaft, an adjustably mounted wiper spring positioned to be engaged by said contact during rotationof the shaft, and auxiliary contact mechanism connected in series with the aforesaid wiper spring, said auxiliary contact mechanism comprising reduction gearing driven by said shaft, and a contact operated by said gearing.

12. A counter comprising a rotatable shaft 'ar.

, ranged to detachably receive, any of a number of differently toothed ratchet wheels, an oscillatable pawl arm and pawl for moving the ratchet wheel, an adjustable pawl release for determining the effective portion of the stroke of the pawl, a contact carried by said shaft, a Wiper spring positioned to be engaged by said contact during rotation of the shaft, and auxiliary contact mechanism connected in series with the, aforesaid wiper spring, said auxiliary contact mechanism comprising reduction gearing driven by said shaft, anda contact operated by said gearing.

13. A counter comprising a rotatable shaft arranged to detachably receive any of a number of differently toothed ratchet wheels, an oscillatable pawl arm and pawl for moving the ratchet wheel, a contact operated by said shaft, and auxiliary contact mechanism connected in `series with the aforesaid contact, said auxiliary contactI mechanism comprising a sector on the shaft, a pinion mounted adjacent the path of movement of the sector, a contact operated by said pinion, and a plurality of readily removable teeth detachably mounted at the periphery of the sector for engaging the aforesaid pinion in order to move the pinion a number of teeth dependent upon the of the contact sector, a contact operatedby said pinion, and a plurality of readily remova le pins detachably mounted in mating holes near the periphery of the contact sector for engaging the aforesaid pinion in order to move the pinion a number of teeth, dependent upon the number of pins mounted on the contact sector.

15. A counter for defining two different quantities in alternation, said counter comprising a rotatable shaft arranged to detachably receive any of a number of differently toothed ratchet wheels, an'oscillatable pawl arm and pawl for moving the ratchet wheel, an adjustable pawl release for determining the effective portion of the stroke of the pawl, a contact sector carried by said shaft, an adjustably mounted wiper spring positioned to be engaged by said sector during rotation of the shaft, and auxiliary contact mechanism connected in series with the aforesaid wiper spring, said auxiliary contact mechanism comprising a pinion mounted adjacent the path of movement of the contact sector, a contact drum connected to said pinion,

a contact controlled by said drum, and a plurality of readily removable pins detachably mounted in mating holes near the periphery of the contact sector for engaging the aforesaid pinion in order to move the pinion a number of teeth dependent upon the number of pins mounted on the contact sector.

16. A counter for defining two different quantities in alternation, said counter comprising a rotatable shaftarranged to detachably receive any of a numbervof differently toothed ratchet wheels, an oscillatable pawl arm and pawl for moving the ratchet wheel, a contact sector assembly mounted on said shaft and comprising a first contact sector, a second contact sector, releasable means for locking said contact sectors together in desired relative position in order to vary the arc of said contact sector, a wiper spring to be engaged by said sector, and auxiliary contact mechanism connected in series with the aforesaid wiper spring, said auxiliary contact mechanism comprising reduction gearing driven by said shaft, and a contact operated by said gearing. f

17. A counter for defining two 'different quantities in alternation, said counter comprising a rotatable shaft arranged to detachably receive any of a number of differently toothed ratchet wheels, an oscillatable pawl arm and pawl for moving'the ratchet Wheel, a contact sector assembly mounted on said shaft and comprising a first contact sector, a second contact sector, releasable means for locking said contact sectors together in desired relative position in order to vary the arc of said contact sector, a wiper spring Aengaged by said sector, means affording adjustment of the position of the wiper spring in order to thereby vary the duration of engagement between the contact sector and the wiper spring, and auxiliary contact mechanism connected in series with the aforesaid Wiper spring, said auxiliary contact mechanism comprising reduction gearing driven by said shaft, and a contact operated by said gearing. 18. A counter for defining two different quantities in alternation, said counter comprising a rotatable shaft arranged to detachably receive any of a number of differently toothed ratchet wheels, an oscillatable pawl arm and pawl for moving the ratchet wheel, a contact sector assembly mounted on said shaft and comprising a rst contact sector, a second contact sector, re-

leasable means for locking said contact sectors together in desired relative position in order to vary the arc oi said contact sector, a wiper spring to be engaged by said'sector, and auxiliary contact mechanism connected in series with the aforesaid wiper spring, said auxiliary contact mechanism comprising a pinion mounted adjacent the path of movement of the contact sector, a contact controlled by said pinion, and a plurality of readily removable pins detachably mounted in mating holes near the periphery of the contact sector for engaging the aforesaid pinion in order to move the pinion a number oi.' teeth dependent upon the number of pins mounted on the contact sector.

19. Av counter fo`r dening two diiierent quantities in alternation, said counter comprising a rotatable shaft arranged to detachably receive any of a number of differently toothed ratchet wheels, an osclllatable pawl arm and pawl for moving the ratchet wheel, a contact sector assembly mounted on said shaft and comprising a rst contact sector, a second contact sector, releasable means for locking said contact sectors together in desired relative position in order to vary the arc of said contact sector, means aiordingk adjustment of the position of the wiper spring in order to thereby vary the duration of engagement between the contact sector and the wiper spring, and auxiliary contact mechanism connected in series with the aforesaid wiper spring, said auxiliary contact mechanism comprising a pinion mounted adjacent the path of movement Iof the contact sector, a contact controlled by saidpinion, and a plurality ot readily removable pins detachably mounted in mating holes near the periphery of the contact sector .for engaging the aforesaid pinion in order to move the pinion a number of teeth dependent upon the number of pins mounted on the contact sector.

20. A counter for defining two diiierent quan- ;tities inalternation, said counter comprising a rotatable shaft arranged to detachably receive any ofl a number of differently toothed ratchet wheels, an oscillatable pawl arm and pawl for moving the ratchet wheel. a contact sector mounted on said shaft, a wiper spring engaged by said sector, means affording adjustment of the position of the wiper spring in order to thereby vary the duration or engagement between the contact sector and the Wiper spring, and auxil- Disclaimer 2,167,259.-George Wntrt'tz, v N COUNTER.

Staten Island, N. Y., and Frederick Ulrich, Bayonne, Patent dated July 25, 1939. Disclaimer filed Dec. 5,

[Oficial Gazette' January 6, 1948.] 

